TWO women were taken to Scarborough Hospital after fire broke out in a block of flats in the town.

Winifred Blower suffered severe burns in last night's blaze, at Litham Manor, North Cliff Avenue.

Her condition was today described as "critical".

She was rescued by firefighters, who had to use breathing apparatus to reach her in thick smoke.

The second woman, Catherine Airey, a neighbour, was found collapsed at the rear of the premises after suffering a suspected angina attack. She is said to be "very ill" in the hospital's coronary care unit.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. It is thought the fire started in a sofa in one of the women's ground-floor flat.

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